Cleaning apparatus for paint applicator rollers and the like



QLAQMB Dec. 11, 1956 J. F. BEECH 2,773,274

CLEANING APPARATUS FOR PAINT APPLICATOR Ro LERs AND THE LIKE Filed Nov.29, 1954- 2 Sheets-Sheet J Illlll' lllllllrl I 111 II 111111111111:"I,-III III III-III... [1111111111]!!! I INVENTOR.. Jam- 661758 e7 BY% MJ. F. BEECH Dec. 11, 1956 CLEANING APPARATUS FOR PAINT APPLICATORROLLERS AND THE LIKE Filed NOV. 29, r 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.James ji'fieech "CR QQM CLEANING APPARATUS FOR PAINT APPLICATOR ROLLERSAND THE LIKE James F. Beech, Battle Creek, Mich.

Application November 29, 1954, Serial No. 471,590

Claims. (Cl. -3)

The present invention relates broadly to cleaning equipment, and in itsspecific phases to an apparatus useable for the cleaning of roller typepaint applicators.

In painting interior surfaces, and even outside surfaces, it is becomingrather common practice to use a paint applicator of the type having anapplicator roller and an operating handle therefor. Quite an amount ofdifficulty, however, is experienced in cleaning the applicator rollerafter each use or when colors are to be changed and, moreover, eachcleaning operation consumes considerable time which could Well be spentto better advantage, particularly by the professional painter. It was arecognition of this situation and a knowledge, from long experience inthe field, that there was no thoroughly satisfactory method or apparatusfor cleaning paint applicator rollers which led to the conception anddevelopment of the present invention.

Accordingly among the objects of the present invention is the provisionof a novel cleaning device which will quickly and easily clean theroller of a paint applicator, not only saving time and avoidingdifficulty, but readily accomplishing more thorough cleaning thannormally attained heretofore.

In carrying out the above end, a further object is to provide a cleaningroller for peripheral contact with the applicator roller while bothrollers are immersed in a solvent, the cleaning roller being rotatableto also cause rotation of the applicator roller, the paint being thusthinned and squeezed out from between the fibers of the applicatorroller to thoroughly clean the latter.

Another object is to provide a novel frame readily engageable with theside wall of a paint pail, paint can or the like (hereinafter referredto as a can) for mounting the cleaning roller and for temporarilymounting the applicator while the roller of the latter is being cleaned.

A further object is to provide the cleaning roller with novel peripheralsleeve for alternately pressing and freeing the applicator roller fibersin a myriad of places to insure alternate inflow and outflow of thesolvent between the fibers and produce thorough cleaning.

Another object is to provide a novel frame structure formed from asingle length of stiff wire.

Yet another object is to provide a modified form of frame constructedfrom sheet metal.

A still further object is to provide a simple and inexpensive cleaningdevice yet one which will be durable and efficient.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention will appear as thedescription proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the inventionthen consists of the equipment hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings, and thefollowing description setting forth in detail certain means for carryingout the invention, such disclosed means illustrating, however,

invention may be used.

nited States Patent 0 In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a top plan view showing the cleaning device engaged with acan and showing a paint applicator in position for cleaning. I

Figure 2 is a perspective View of the cleaning device of Figure 1, theapplicator and a portion of the can being shown in broken lines.

Figure 3 is a detail section partly in elevation, showing one end of thecleaning roller.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a different form of construction.

In order to clearly set forth the principles of the present inventionthe structures shown in the drawings will be rather specificallydescribed, but it is to be understood that variations may well be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as thus setforth.

Both forms of the invention are adapted for cleaning a paint applicatorof the type in which the roller handle 5 has a lateral portion 6 behindthe applicator roller 7 and both of said forms include a cleaning roller8 for peripheral contact with the roller 7 when both rollers arevertically immersed in a solvent within a can 9, the cleaning roller 8being provided with any suitable form of rotating means such as a crank10 by means of which it may be rotated to also rotate the applicatorroller 7. Both forms of the invention also include a frame upon whichthe cleaning roller 3 is mounted, said frame being engageable with theside wall 9a of the can 9 and having bearings to temporarily receive thelateral portion 6 of the handle 5. The frame of Figures 1 and 2 isgenerally denoted at 11 and is formed from stiff wire. The frame 11a ofFigure 4 is constructed from sheet metal. Both of these frames will bedescribed in detail.

A single length of stiff wire is employed in forming the frame 11 ofFigures 1 and 2. This wi-re has a substantially horizontal curvedportion 12 between its ends to lie against the outer side of the canside wall 9a. The wire at one end of the horizontal portion 12 is bentupwardly to provide a vertical member 13 and at the upper end of thismember 13 the wire is bent laterally inward to form an arm 14 to rest onthe can wall 9a. At the inner end of the arm 14, the wire is bent toform an upper bearing 15 and is then extended laterally outward toprovide a second and shorter arm 16 which is in sideto-side relationwith the arm 14. At the outer end of the arm 16, the wire is bentdownwardly to form a second vertical member 17 for disposition at theinner side of the can wall 9a. This member 17 extends downwardly belowthe horizontal wire portion 12 and has an outwardly bowed lower endportion 18 to abut the inner side of the can. Wall 9a. The wire is bentlaterally inward below the bowed portion 18 to provide a third arm 19,and at the terminal of this arm the wire is bent to provide a lowerbearing 20 which is vertically alined with the upper bearing 15.

The wire at the other end of the horizontal portion 12 is bent laterallyoutward at 21, then inwardly at 22, and again outwardly at 23 to providea lower U-shaped bearing 24. After forming this hearing 24, the wire isextended upwardly to provide a bearing-connecting member 25. At theupper end of this member 25, the wire is bent laterally inward at 26,then outward at 27 and again in wardly at 28 to form an upper U-shapedbearing 29. From this hearing 29, the wire is bent upwardly and inwardlyat 30 to rest on the can side wall 9a. The wire is then bent downwardlyto provide an additional vertical member 31 for disposition at the innerside of the can Wall 9a. This member 31 has a laterally bent lower end32 to abut the wall 901.

The bearings 1'15 and 20 receive the shaft 33 of the cleaning roller 8and rotatably mount this roller. The U-shaped bearings 24 and 29 areadapted to receive the lateral portion 6 of the applicator handle tomount the applicatorin such position that its roller '7 may be held withvariable pressure against the cleaning roller 8 while the latter isbeing rotated. These bearings 24 and 2? pivotally mount the applicatorso that pressure in one direction against the handle 5 will pivotallymove the ro'ller7in the other direction either against the cleaningroller 8, or away from it, the two rollers being at that time immersedin the solvent (not shown) in the can 9. This construction thusfacilitates cleaning the applicator roller when it is held againstcleaning roller 8 and the latter is rotated and also the insertion orremoval of the applicator roller with its handle when it is free forendwise movement.

In the form of construction shown in Figure 4, a flat strip of metal isused in constructing the frame This metal strip has a vertical portion34- between its ends for disposition at the inner side of the can well,said strip having an outwardly bowed portion at he lower end of saidvertical portion '34, providing a rib 38 for contact with said can wall.The strip is bent laterally inward from the rib 35 to form a lowerhorizontal arm 35. At the upper end of the vertical portion 34, thestrip is bent laterally inward and folded upon itself to form an uppertwo-ply arm 37. The metal of the upper ply 38 of this two-ply arm isextended beyond the vertical portion 34 as seen at 39 to rest on the canwall. The strip is then bent downwardly to provide a second verticalportion at to lie against the outer side of the can wall. The two pliesof the upper arm 37 may be spot-welded or riveted together as indicatedat 41.

A metal plate 42 is suitably secured to the vertical portion 4t) andprojects beyond one edge thereof, said plate having a return-bend 43 atits outer end. This return bend forms the socket for the lateral portion6 of roller handle 5 and takes the place of bearings 24 and 2 of Figure2.

The arms 36 and 37, Figure 4, are apertured to form bearings, similar to15 and 2d of Figure 2 to receive the shaft 33 of the cleaning roller 3in order to rotatably mount this roller between said arms, one of theapertures being shown at 44. With the return-bend 43 in the positionshown, it is adapted to receive the handle portion '6 of the applicatorso as to position the applicator roller 7 in proper cleaning relationwith the cleaning roller when the frame 115: is engaged with the sidewall of a can containing a suitable solvent.

The cleaning roller is provided with a peripheral sleeve 45, Figure 3,of reticular and foraminous form, said sleeve being preferably formedfrom fiy-screen wire. There is a space 46 under the sleeve into and fromwhich the solvent may flow to keep the sleeve clean.

As the cleaning roller 8 is rotated and the applicator roller 7 is heldagainst it in the solvent, said cleaning rollers drives said applicatorroller to clean the latter. During the rotation of the two rollers, thereticular and foraminous sleeve 45 alternately presses and frees thefibers of the applicator roller 7 in a myriad of places, thus insuringinflow and outflow of solvent, which should be relatively clean, betweenthe fibers to perform a thorough cleaning operation and leavingsubstantially no paint to harden on the roller surface and interferewith later use.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a novel and advantageous devicehas been disclosed for the intended purposes of cleaning paintapplicator rollers and while there are herein shown and described twopreferred or. bodiments of the invention, it is nevertheless to beunderstood that minor changes may be made therein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as set forth.

.0ther;modes1ofapplying. the :principle of my invention .maybeemployedinstead of tthose explained, change .being 'ma'de'as regards theapparatus herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of thefollowing claims or the equivalent of 'S'l'liih stated means be emloyed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In a cleaning device for a paint applicator of the type comprising anapplicator roller, and a handle for said roller having a lateralportionbehind and spaced a short distance from the latter; a frame to engagethe side wall of a can containing a solvent, a cleaning roller forvertical disposition in -the can, said cleaning roller having anoperating member at its upper end by means of which it may be rotated,bearing means mounting said cleaning roller on said frame, andadditional bearing means on said frame positioned for disposition at theexterior of the can side wall to receive the lateral portion of theapplicator handle when this lateral handle portion is positionedvertically; whereby when said frame is mounted on the can and thelateral handle portion is engaged with said additional bearing means andthe applicator roller is positioned vertically against said cleaningroller, the applicator handle may bepivota'llymoved to press theapplicator roller against said cleaning roller and the latter may 'berotated, thereby rotating and cleaning the applicator roller.

2, A structure as specified in claim 1; said frame being constructed tostraddle the can side wall.

3. A structure as specified in claim 1; said cleaning roller having aforaminous peripheral sleeve for contact with the applicator roller.

4. A structure as specified in claim 1; said cleaning roller having aforaminous peripheral sleeve for contact with the applicator roller,said cleaning roller having a space under said foraminous sleeve intoand from which the cleaning liquid may pass.

5. A structure as specified in claim 1; said cleaning roller havingupper and lower journals fitting said frame bearings, and a reticularand foraminous peripheral sleeve for contact with the applicator roller.

'6. A structure as specified in claim 1; said cleaning roller having areticular andforaminous peripheral sleeve for contact with. theapplicator roller, said cleaning roiler having a'space under saidreticular and foraminous sleeve into and from which the cleaning liquidmay pass, and said operating member for said cleaning roller being inthe form of a crank at the upper end of same.

7. A 'structur'ea's specified in claim 1; wherein said frame is formedfrom relatively heavy and stiff wire.

8. A structure as specified in claim 1; wherein said 'rame is formedfrom relatively heavy and stiff strip metal.

9. In a cleaning device for a paint applicator of the type comprising anapplicator roller, and a handle for said roller'having a lateral portionbehind and spaced a short distance from'the latter; said cleaning devicecomprising'a'frame formed from a single length of wire, said wire havinga substantially horizontal portion between itsends to lie against theouter side of a can side wall, the wire at one. end of saidsubstantially horizontal portion being 'bentupwardly to provide avertical member, the wire beingbent laterally inward at the upper end ofsaid vertical member to form an arm to rest on the can side wall, thewire at the inner end of said arm being bent 'to form'abear'ing'andbeing then extended outwardly to form a second and shorter arm adjacentthe first mentioned arm, the wire being bent downwardly fromthe'outeren'd'ofsaid second and shorter arm to form second verticalmember for disposition at the inner side of the can wall, said secondvertical member having an outwardly bowed lower end portion to abut thecan wall, the wire being bent laterally inward below said bowed portio'nto form a third arm, the terminal of said third :arm being bent toform-a second bearing vertically alined'-wi'th.zth'ei-a-fores'a.id.abeari-n'gg the wire at other end of :the.aafores'aid substantially horizontal portion being bent laterallyoutward then inward and again outward to form a lower U-shaped bearing,the wire being bent upwardly from this lower U-shaped bearing to providea vertical bearing connecting member, the wire at the upper end of thisbearing-connecting member being bent laterally inward then outward andthen again inward to provide an upper U-shaped bearing, the wire beingbent upwardly and inwardly from this upper U- shaped bearing to rest onthe can wall, the wire being then bent downwardly to provide anadditional vertical member for disposition at the inner side of the canwall, said additional vertical member having an outwardly bent portionto abut the can wall; the first and second mentioned bearings beingadapted for mounting a cleaning roller, said upper and lower U-shapedbearings being adapted to receive the lateral handle portion of thepaint applicator when the applicator roller is positioned verticallyagainst the cleaning roller.

10. In a cleaning device for a paint applicator of the type comprisingan applicator roller, and a handle for said roller having a lateralportion behind and spaced a short distance from the latter; a strip ofmetal having a vertical portion between its ends for a disposition atthe inner side of a can wall, the metal at the lower end of saidvertical portion being bowed outwardly to provide a rib for contact withthe can wall, the metal being bent laterally inward from said rib toform a lower horizontal arm, the metal at the upper end of said verticalportion being bent laterally inward and folded upon itself to form anupper two-ply arm, the metal of the upper ply of said two-ply upper armbeing extended outwardly beyond said vertical portion to rest on the canwall, the metal being then bent downward to provide a second verticalportion to lie against the outer side of the can wall; an extendingplate member secured to said second vertical portion and projectingbeyond one edge thereof, the outer end of said plate having asubstantially vertical axis return-bend to receive the lateral portionof the applicator handle, said upper and lower arms having bearingopenings; a cleaning roller having a shaft adapted to fit said bearingopenings for rotatably mounting said cleaning roller; and means forrotating said cleaning roller while said applicator roller is pressedagainst same.

No references cited.

